Boundary Avenue
A documentary theatre investigation in collaboration with asylum seekers.
Drawing on the traditions of documentary and verbatim theatre, Boundary Avenue documents the influx of asylum seekers crossing the USA/Canada Border at Emerson, Manitoba between 2016-2017. Created by Andraea Sartison, Liam Zarrillo, and Caroline Wintoniw inspired by the story of asylum seekers Razak Iyal and Seidu Mohammed who crossed the border on Christmas Eve 2016, losing their fingers to frostbite. Boundary Avenue premiered after two years of investigative theatre making in collaboration with Razak and Seidu.
Directed by Debbie Patterson
Featuring Richie Diggs, Montana Lehmann, Sherab Rabzyor Yolo, Saira Rahman, and Liam Zarrillo
Production Design & Video Design by Adam Parboosingh
Set Design by Rebekah Enns
Lighting Design by Khaeler Bautista
Costume Design by Ayobami Ige
Sound Design by Davis Plett
Videography by Caroline Wintoniw
Poster Design by Santiago Tovar
“(Boundary Avenue) goes to great pains to represent both the decency and cruelty Hamza encounters on his journey — and the range of fear and compassion that asylum seekers like him generate.”
“Sartison said she found herself caught between the storylines of people desperate to get to safety, and of the journalists broadcasting that desperation around the world. In that uncomfortable place, she was inspired.”
“(We, the writers) went down to the border and I was shocked about the process of how people were capturing stories about who was down there and we were just blown away at the media, the townspeople and the people who were coming across,” she recalls. “It was kind of disturbing but also inspiring, and we knew this was the story we wanted to tell.”
More press…
BBC on Seidu and Razak that includes their feedback on Boundary Avenue
Emerson serves as backdrop for new asylum seeker drama - The Carillon
Journey to Winnipeg - Winnipeg Free Press
War deserters, asylum seekers and new beginnings: 3 new made-in-Manitoba plays hit the stage - CBC Manitoba
New Play Tells Story Of Emerson Border Crossing – Pembina Valley Online News
Journey to Winnipeg – Theatre Companies Offer Double-Bill of Immigration-Themed Plays – Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council Inc.
Photos by Caroline Wintoniw